How To Create an Apple ID Without a Credit Card

The process of creating an Apple ID without a credit card was pretty complicated before iTunes 11. That process has just become even more complicated with Apple’s updated way of creating ID’s. Now, before you read this, I want to make sure that you’re aware of what an Apple ID is. Your Apple ID is the account you use to make purchases on your iDevice (downloading a free app is also considered as purchasing it). However, by Apple’s standards, you don’t always need a credit card to purchase apps. Yet, you are forced to select one when you create your Apple ID.

Fortunately, there’s a (completely legal) workaround to this, provided the user has iTunes (which should be no problem, considering that one wouldn’t need an Apple ID without an iDevice or a Mac, both of which require iTunes). All you have to do is follow these simple steps:

1. In iTunes, go to the iTunes Store (in iTunes 11, click on the button in the top-right).
2. Once there, click on the App Store button on the top (in case it doesn’t appear, which is typical of slow connections, simply scroll down to a free app on the first page that opens up).
3. Locate a free app (like Facebook) and click on the “Free” button.
4. In the new page that opens up, click on the big “Free” button again.
5. A windows will pop up asking you to enter your Apple ID or else create a new one. Click on “Create Apple ID”. Note that an old Apple ID with a pending “Review” will not do the trick. 
6. Click “Continue”, followed by “Accept”.
7. Enter the required information and click “Continue”.
8. Now, unlike before, under the options of credit cards, you’ll get the option of “None”. Select it and you’re good to go.

And just like that, you have yourself a free Apple ID, unlocking many of iOS’ features, such as Lost My iPhone, Lost My iPad, iCloud, FaceTime, Game Center, iBooks, iTunes U, Newsstand, Find My Friends and much, much more, including the App Store! Note that at any point of time, you can add a credit card your account either from your device or from your Mac or PC. If you enjoyed what you just read, then you can click here to view a list of articles by the same author(s). Till then, keep the comments rolling, swallow the red pill and accept this - thank you for reading, but our princess is in another castle!